KIB1010 Anatomy and Physiology Self-Reflective Exercise 3 (Respiratory System 1 & 2) PDF

Department of Biomedical Engineering Faculty of Engineering University Malaya KIB1010 Anatomy and Physiology Sem 1 Session 2024/2025 Self-reflective Exercise 3 (Respiratory System 1 & 2) Answer ALL questions. Respiratory...

Department of Biomedical Engineering Faculty of Engineering University Malaya KIB1010 Anatomy and Physiology Sem 1 Session 2024/2025 Self-reflective Exercise 3 (Respiratory System 1 & 2) Answer ALL questions. Respiratory System 1 1. What is the primary function of the respiratory system? o The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply the body with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism. o 2. Describe the four processes involved in respiration: pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, transport of gases, and internal respiration. o Pulmonary Ventilation: Movement of air into and out of the lungs. o External Respiration: Gas exchange between the air in the alveoli and blood; oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide is expelled. o Transport of Gases: Oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported in the blood between the lungs and body tissues. o Internal Respiration: Gas exchange between the blood in systemic capillaries and tissue cells; oxygen diffuses into tissues, while carbon dioxide diffuses back into the blood. o 3. What is the role of cellular respiration in the respiratory system? o Cellular respiration is the process by which cells use oxygen to convert glucose into ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product, which the respiratory system then removes. o 4. Differentiate between the respiratory zone and the conducting zone in terms of their roles. o The respiratory zone is where gas exchange occurs and includes structures like alveoli. The conducting zone provides a pathway for air to reach the respiratory zone, conditioning the air by warming, humidifying, and filtering it. 5. What are the main functions of the nose in the respiratory process? o The nose provides an airway, filters and moistens the air, warms it, serves as a resonating chamber for speech, and houses olfactory receptors for the sense of smell. o 6. How does the nasal cavity filter and condition the air we breathe? o The nasal cavity has a mucosal lining that traps particles and pathogens. Ciliated cells move mucus and trapped particles to the throat, while capillaries warm the air. o 7. What is the purpose of the nasal conchae, and how does it affect airflow? o The nasal conchae increase the surface area within the nasal cavity, creating turbulence that helps filter, heat, and moisten the air as it passes through. o 8. Identify the three regions of the pharynx and their respective functions. o Nasopharynx: Passageway for air, closes off during swallowing. o Oropharynx: Passageway for food and air, lined with protective epithelium. o Laryngopharynx: Directs food and air to the correct channels, continuous with the oesophagus. o 9. Explain the structure and function of the larynx and how it aids in vocalisation. o The larynx, located from the fourth to sixth cervical vertebrae, connects the pharynx to the trachea, provides an open airway, directs food and air, and houses vocal cords, allowing speech. o 10. How do the trachea and bronchi structurally support air passage and resist collapse? o The trachea has C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage that prevent it from collapsing while remaining flexible—the bronchi branch into smaller passages supported by cartilage plates, which decrease as the airways narrow. Respiratory System 2 1. Define alveolar ventilation and describe its importance in gas exchange. o Alveolar ventilation is the amount of air entering the alveoli per minute, essential for adequate gas exchange as it ensures fresh oxygen reaches the alveoli, and carbon dioxide is removed. o 2. Explain the relationship between intrapulmonary pressure and atmospheric pressure during breathing. o During inhalation, intrapulmonary pressure drops below atmospheric pressure, drawing air into the lungs. During exhalation, it rises above atmospheric pressure, pushing air out. o 3. What is the significance of intrapleural pressure in maintaining lung inflation? o Intrapleural pressure is always negative relative to intrapulmonary pressure, preventing lung collapse by keeping the lungs adhered to the thoracic wall, allowing them to expand and recoil with breathing. o 4. Describe how surfactant functions in the alveoli and its importance in preventing collapse. o Surfactant, produced by type II alveolar cells, reduces surface tension within the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing by keeping their walls from sticking together during exhalation. o 5. What are tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, and residual volume? o Tidal Volume: Air moved in and out with each normal breath. o Inspiratory Reserve Volume: Extra air inhaled beyond tidal volume. o Expiratory Reserve Volume: Extra air exhaled beyond tidal volume. o Residual Volume: Air remaining in lungs after maximum exhalation. o 6. How is vital capacity calculated, and what does it represent? o Vital capacity is the sum of tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, and expiratory reserve volume, representing the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after a maximum inhalation. 7. Define hypoventilation and hyperventilation and explain the physiological impacts of each condition. o Hypoventilation: Insufficient alveolar ventilation leads to low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels, which can result in hypoxemia. o Hyperventilation: Excessive alveolar ventilation causes increased oxygen and reduced carbon dioxide levels, potentially leading to respiratory alkalosis. o 8. Explain partial pressure gradients and how they influence oxygen and carbon dioxide movement across the respiratory membrane. o Oxygen and carbon dioxide move across the respiratory membrane down their partial pressure gradients: oxygen diffuses from high pressure in alveoli to low pressure in capillary blood, while carbon dioxide moves in the opposite direction. o 9. What is the role of haemoglobin in oxygen transport, and how is it affected by factors such as temperature and pH? o Hemoglobin carries most of the oxygen in the blood. High temperatures and lower pH reduce hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen, facilitating oxygen release to tissues, a response known as the Bohr effect. o 10. How does the medullary respiratory centre regulate breathing, and what factors influence its activity? o The medullary respiratory centre in the brainstem controls the rhythmic breathing cycle. It responds to levels of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH, as well as input from peripheral and central chemoreceptors, to adjust breathing rate and depth.